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The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has approved the implementation of the project titled Development of Strategies and Tools to Address Online Copyright Piracy in the African Digital Market. This initiative aims to support four beneficiary countries—among them Nigeria—in effectively addressing online copyright infringement. It does so by exploring potential improvements to the legal and regulatory frameworks, facilitating the exchange of best practices, adopting cost-effective technical solutions, conducting capacity-building activities, and offering tailored technical assistance. As part of the preparatory phase for a study on online copyright piracy in Nigeria, we have prepared this questionnaire to collect valuable information that will support the upcoming mapping study. This questionnaire is being addressed to you as a participant in the Kick-off Stakeholders Meeting organized by WIPO and the Nigerian Copyright Commission, which took place in Abuja on May 13, 2025. We kindly request your participation in completing it by June 23, 2025. Please feel free to forward this questionnaire to other individuals or organizations in Nigeria who you believe should also be invited to participate. You are encouraged to respond only to those questions that fall within your area of expertise.

We ask that you provide your name and email address so we may contact you should any clarification be needed. However, if you prefer not to share this information, you may proceed without it.

Please note that we do require information about your organization, your position, and your area of expertise in order to analyze the responses effectively.

Please answer only those questions that fall within your area of expertise.

Thank you for your valuable contribution.

Name/Surname E-mail Organization * (Mandatory field)

Area of expertise Telecommunications
Government
Content provider
Internet Service Provider
Copyright Industry Associations and Proctitioners
Collective Management Organizations
Media

Chapter 1: Nature and Impact of Online Infringements

1.1 State of Piracy

1.1.1 How widespread is online piracy in Nigeria? 1.1.2 What is the evolution of online piracy in Nigeria in the past 5-10 years? Are there any key factors that have influenced such evolution? 1.1.3 Are there any estimates or data on the scope of piracy, such as the percentage of internet users engaging in piracy or the number of pirated sites? 1.1.4 Are the majority of online copyright infringement cases in Nigeria attributed to domestic sources, or is international piracy a more significant challenge?

1.2 Forms of Online Piracy

1.2.1 What are the most common forms of online piracy in Nigeria (e.g., illegal streaming, file-sharing, downloading, counterfeit digital goods)? 1.2.2 Which sectors (e.g., music, movies, software, books) are most impacted by online piracy?

1.3 Public Perception of Piracy:

1.3.1 How does the Nigerian public view online piracy? Is it seen as a serious crime, or is it more of a "victimless" offense in public perception?

1.4 Economic Impact

1.4.1 Are there any examples of how digital piracy undermines innovation and investment in the creative sectors in Nigeria? 1.4.2 Are there any estimates of the economic impact of online piracy on Nigeria's creative industries? 1.4.3 How do artists, content creators, and businesses perceive the financial damage caused by online piracy?

5. Social and Cultural Impacts

1.5.1 What are the broader social and cultural impacts of online piracy in Nigeria? 1.5.2 How does piracy affect the local entertainment industry, and what are the social consequences of widespread online piracy?

Chapter 2: Legal and Regulatory Framework

2.1 Existing Legal and Regulatory framework

2.1.1 What are the current laws governing copyright protection and enforcement in Nigeria? 2.1.2 Are there specific provisions in copyright laws or regulations that target online piracy in Nigeria? 2.1.3 How does Nigeria regulate digital platforms and content-sharing sites? 2.1.4 Are there specific gaps or inconsistencies in Nigeria's regulatory framework that hinder effective action against online piracy (e.g., laws not updated to cover new forms of digital piracy)?

2.2 Definition and Scope of Online Piracy under Nigerian Law

2.2.1 How does Nigerian law define "online piracy," and what activities does it cover (e.g., unauthorized reproduction, distribution, public performance)? 2.2.2 Is there a distinction made between traditional piracy (physical copies) and online piracy (digital distribution)?

2.3 Alignment with International Agreements and International Collaboration

2.3.1 How well do these laws align with international copyright agreements like the Berne Convention or WTO TRIPS? 2.3.2 What challenges does Nigeria face when it comes to enforcing international copyright laws in the context of online piracy, especially considering the global nature of the internet? 2.3.3 How does Nigeria collaborate with international bodies or other countries to enforce copyright laws online? 2.3.4 Are there in place bilateral agreements with other countries regulating online piracy? 2.3.5 What role does international cooperation with agencies like INTERPOL play in combating piracy?

2.4 Current State of Copyright Enforcement in Nigeria

2.4.1 What is the current state of copyright enforcement in Nigeria? 2.4.2 Which agencies are responsible for enforcing copyright laws in Nigeria? 2.4.3 Does Nigeria face any technological or infrastructure challenges that hinder copyright enforcement? 2.4.4 How effective are these agencies in tracking and prosecuting online piracy cases? Are there resource or technological limitations in monitoring online piracy effectively?

2.5 Stakeholder Collaboration

2.5.1 What strategies are in place for collaboration between the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), ISPs, and other stakeholders to combat online piracy? 2.5.2 Have there been any formal discussions or agreements between ISPs and copyright holders to collaborate in combating online copyright infringement? Who are the key stakeholders involved in these discussions, and what specific roles do they play? To what extent are CMOs engaged in this process, and how do they contribute to enforcement efforts? 2.5.3 If discussions on online copyright enforcement were to be initiated today, who should be the key stakeholders involved in these negotiations? 2.5.4 What specific role does the Nigeria Copyright Board (KECOBO) play in facilitating negotiations between ISPs, copyright holders, and CMOs? Are these negotiations typically initiated by the government, copyright holders, or ISPs? 2.5.5 Considering that, to our understanding, in Nigeria administrative actions for blocking websites are provided by law, do you believe that agreements concluded between stakeholders (such as Memoranda of Understanding) would be effective? 2.5.6 What mechanisms currently exist for collaboration between government agencies, copyright holders, and ISPs? How do these entities share information and coordinate enforcement efforts? 2.5.7 What technological measures (e.g., digital rights management, encryption, watermarking) are in place to prevent piracy, and how effective have they been in Nigeria?

2.6 Administrative procedure – Blocking of infringing websites

2.6.1 Describe the administrative procedure as defined by the Law. Which agencies are involved? Do they work together? Is there a specific Commission responsible for the decision of blocking? 2.6.2 What is the role of Enforcement agencies in the administrative process? 2.6.3 Can copyright holders seek assistance from enforcement agencies to impose administrative sanctions against online piracy? How does this process work, and what actions do enforcement agencies take? Is the involvement of Copyright Commission necessary in this case? 2.6.4 How effective are administrative actions (e.g., blocking access to infringing sites)? 2.6.5 Is there any available data on the number of notice-and-takedown requests filed in Nigeria? 2.6.6 What evidence exists regarding the effectiveness of these measures in reducing online infringement? 2.6.7 Is court litigation possible after the administrative measures have been taken or at the same time with the administrative measures? 2.6.8 How many administrative actions have been taken and how many blocking decision have been issued? 2.6.9 In your opinion, what would be the most appropriate national-level strategy for combating online piracy in Nigeria? Is the administrative enforcement approach more efficient than judicial proceedings? Are there any other practices or technological solutions that could be particularly effective in Nigeria’s context?

2.7 Dispute resolution mechanisms

2.7.1 Does your national legislation provide for online dispute resolution mechanisms?

2.8 Case Law

2.8.1 Have there been any landmark cases or notable decisions in Nigeria related to online piracy? If yes, what were the outcomes, and how did they shape the current legal landscape? 2.8.2 Have there been any legal actions taken against ISPs by CMOs or other copyright-related organizations for failing to address copyright infringement? If so, what were the key legal arguments and outcomes? 2.8.3 How often do cases of online piracy result in prosecution and conviction? Are there particular challenges that hinder successful prosecution? 2.8.4 Are cases involving online copyright infringement primarily handled through civil litigation, or do they fall under criminal law? Under what circumstances would a case be prosecuted as a criminal offense? 2.8.5 Does Nigeria have specialized courts or judicial mechanisms for handling copyright infringement cases? On average, how long does it take for courts to resolve such disputes, and what factors influence the timeline?

Chapter 3: Role of Intermediaries

3.1 Role in Combating Online Piracy

3.1.1 What role do intermediaries (e.g., ISPs, hosting providers, online platforms) play in copyright protection under Nigerian law? 3.1.2 How proactive are intermediaries in combating piracy in Nigeria? 3.1.3 Are they obliged to monitor infringing activities or take any other type of proactive measures? 3.1.4 Do intermediaries have established protocols to handle piracy issues or cooperate with enforcement agencies?

3.2 Legal Responsibilities - Liability

3.2.1 What legal responsibilities do intermediaries have under Nigerian law concerning copyright infringement? 3.2.2 Are intermediaries required to take action against online piracy, such as removing infringing content? 3.2.3 Can intermediaries be held liable for infringing copyright and under what conditions? Are there any safe harbor provisions that protect ISPs from liability? 3.2.4 Under Nigerian copyright law, what level of liability do ISPs bear if they fail to take down infringing content after receiving a notice from rights holders? 3.2.5 Are all intermediaries treated the same or does the legislation provide for specific measures for each type of intermediaries? 3.2.6 In cases where intermediaries are found liable for hosting infringing content, what defenses or limitations are available under Nigerian law? 3.2.7 Are there any cases where intermediaries were held accountable for facilitating piracy?

3.3 Enforcement and Remedies

3.3.1 Is there any notice-and-takedown procedure to address online piracy in Nigeria and how does it work? 3.3.2 Is there any available data on the number of notice-and-takedown requests filed in Nigeria? 3.3.3 Is the process for takedowns and content removals transparent, and how do stakeholders ensure fairness in these procedures? 3.3.4 What are the prerequisites (information) for an ISP to accept the claim? Do the affected persons have any mechanisms to defend themselves (for example because they are the righthsholders or they are using the work on the basis of an exception)? 3.3.5 What is the extent of an ISP's discretion in accepting or rejecting such a notice? 3.3.6 What criminal and civil actions are available for copyright holders against online piracy? 3.3.7 What evidence exists regarding the effectiveness of these measures in reducing online infringement?

3.4 Collaboration of ISPs with righthsholders and digital platforms

3.4.1 Are there any MoUs or other mechanisms in place signed by rightsholders and telecommunication companies or other entities that intermediate by providing online services? – Also related with Chapter 2 Question 5 3.4.2 Are there any codes of conduct undertaken by Internet Service Providers? 3.4.3 How do big tech companies (e.g., Google, Facebook, YouTube) address piracy issues in Nigeria? 3.4.4 How do international online platforms (such as Netflix, Spotify, or Amazon) cooperate with Nigerian authorities or local stakeholders to combat piracy?

Chapter 4: Consumer Behavior

4.1 Awareness of Legal Consequences

4.1.1 What is the level of awareness among Nigerian consumers about the legal consequences of online piracy? 4.1.2 What public awareness initiatives are currently in place to educate content creators, businesses, and the general public/consumers on copyright protection and digital piracy as well as about the potential consequences of piracy, beyond the legal implications? How effective have these initiatives been? 4.1.3 Do consumers understand the potential risks of accessing pirated content (e.g., legal, financial, security-related)?

4.2 Factors Driving Piracy

4.2.1 What factors drive Nigerian consumers to engage in online piracy? 4.2.2 Is it due to the cost of legal content, lack of access to legitimate services, or cultural acceptance of piracy?

4.3 Perception of Pirated vs. Legal Content

4.3.1 How do consumers perceive the quality and convenience of pirated content versus legitimate options? 4.3.2 Do consumers prefer pirated content because it is more accessible, free, or of better quality than legal alternatives?

4.4 Attitudes Toward Paying for Digital Content

4.4.1 What are Nigerian consumers' attitudes toward paying for digital content or services? 4.4.2 Are there significant challenges or barriers to access legal content in Nigeria? For instance, are payment platforms, subscription costs for legal services limited or inconvenient for Nigerian consumers?

4.5 Strategies to Shift Consumer Behavior

4.5.1 To what extent does online piracy have cultural acceptance in Nigeria, and how can campaigns alter this perception in the long term? 4.5.2 What strategies could be employed to shift consumer behavior and reduce online piracy in Nigeria?

4.6 Consumer Surveys and Reports

4.6.1 Are there surveys or reports that assess consumer attitudes toward piracy in Nigeria? What are the key findings in terms of piracy rates, consumer motivations, and perceived risks?

4.7 Public Awareness and Education

4.7.1 How effective are regulatory bodies in educating the public and industry stakeholders about copyright laws? 4.7.2 Have there been any public awareness programs in informing consumers about the consequences of digital piracy and the importance of copyright? 4.7.3 Have there been any public awareness campaigns aimed at reducing online piracy?

Study to Map Online Copyright Piracy in Nigeria

Stakeholder questionnaire